Tag Archives: fashion

romantic gowns by Monique Lhuillier

by Erika Firm Posted on September 15, 2010

These lovely dresses are all from Monique Lhuillier‘s Spring 2011 collection. Wouldn’t they be perfect for a romantic garden wedding? I just love the muted color palette. Ladies, don’t be afraid of a little print. Too much and it becomes sort of matchy matchy tea cozy feeling, but a bit here and there is lovely. Lhuillier even showed a wedding gown with a floral print like the short bm dress above. You can see the gowns that Lhuillier sent down the catwalk at fashion week here.

REMINDER: for a better view, click on image to see larger. This works on most images on this blog : )

photos from official Mercedes-Benz Fashion week website.

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tv love: austin and santino

by Erika Firm Posted on September 10, 2010

Last night while the rest of the world was watching NFL football, I was catching up on work with the tv on in the background. Which led me to discover Project Runway alumns Austin and Santino’s show on Lifetime. Have you seen it? It’s fabulous! Full of inspiration and touching moments and silliness. It’s truly fun to watch. And good news: you can watch full episodes on MyLifetime.com! I really love episode 5, when they make a gorgeous wedding gown with a detachable train. I plan to go back and watch again while I don’t have a pile of work calling my name (hoping that happens some day).

By the way, check out the ampersand in the show logo. Clever, huh?

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color i love: electric blue

by Erika Firm Posted on July 20, 2010

J’adore the electric blue color that Gwyneth Paltrow is wearing on the cover of the latest Vogue (August 2010). Personally, I think electric blue is the only great thing about the “new wave” revival. How does she manage to always always look oh so chic: polished but not stuffy; on trend but not, you know, trendy; classic and fashion forward at the same time?!?!! Also, I’m in love with her kitchen:

You can read the article about Gwyneth Paltrow on Vogue.com. Photos by Mario Testino

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sweet summer soirée: a lobster bake outfit

by Erika Firm Posted on May 11, 2010

While I have never been to a lobster bake (I’m more of an oyster roast girl myself … think flip flops, jean shorts and cold beers), my alter-ego would simply love a fancy beach party involving shellfish, white wine spritzers, and a kitchy outfit like this.

shown above: 1. lobster dress from anthropologie  | 2. rattan purse by tory burch  | 3. red sunglasses by kate spade  | 4. hand knotted rope bracelets  from knotworks | 5. black espadrilles with shells by nanette lepore

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nautical stripes for spring

by Erika Firm Posted on March 10, 2010

Every March the nautical stripes come out. I think it’s part of the “resort” or “cruise” collections at all the stores. You can count on it, just like every September plaid will make an appearance. I’m comforted by these classics! Stripes really put me in the mood for spring.

details: 1: set sail trousers (anthropologie) ::: 2: Nautical personal stationery and calling cards (delphine) ::: 3: nautical tote (l.l. bean) ::: 4: low heeled espadrille slides (old navy) ::: 5: pin tuck white shirt (loft) ::: 6: anchor charms (cardsandcraft, etsy) ::: 7: rope necklace (brooklynrehab, etsy) ::: 8: nautical striped scarf (h&m) ::: 9: vintage brass anchor locket (thebumblingbird, etsy)

I’ll admit that I have more than a couple stripey tees in my closet, including this new one by Jean Paul Gaultier for Target:

Because one entire side of the shirt is open, I also bought a box of safety pins. I plan to wear a white tank underneath, and also “sew” it up with different sized safety pins. It’s going to be my beach & pool coverup this summer.

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wish list: comfy boots

by Erika Firm Posted on January 25, 2010

Wanted: comfortable boots that will work here at home (Southern California) AND on the road for trade show trips to New York City. Do you think these [Rebels Shoes Aura Ankle Boots] will work? I’m loving the $29.50 price tag!

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movie: lagerfeld confidential

by Erika Firm Posted on November 23, 2009

I watched Lagerfeld Confidential over the weekend. Loved it! What a strange, wonderful, creative man Karl is. He likes to be alone and “detests” people who cannot be alone. He is not attached to objects, but has one of the most enormous libraries I’ve ever seen. He has a messy office, but knows where every single thing is. He likes his photos to exhibit a touch of melancholy, and when he couldn’t find someone to shoot the photographs the way he likes, he started shooting them himself. He puts on a show for his business, he says the secret is to work very hard, but not to let people see the work. A lot of people have passion, he says. But the secret to success is passion plus hard work. And, I might add, determination and discipline. I think a lot of “creative types” would identify with Lagerfeld’s philosophy. The film is also a wonderful sneak peek into the world of haute couture. I plan on watching it again (and again).

 

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cozy chic for boys

by Erika Firm Posted on November 17, 2009

Shopping for my five-year old can be tough. Seems like most clothes are either super preppy, or covered with cartoon characters. That’s why I’m really loving this cozy collection from Gap. It’s chic and cool … and if I lived somewhere where it got below 60 degrees I’d be all over this collection!

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behind the scenes: claire pettibone runway show

by Erika Firm Posted on November 14, 2009

photo from Claire Pettibone blog

I had the pleasure of meeting Claire Pettibone last month at the Martha Stewart Weddings 15th Anniversary Party. We chatted a bit about the craziness of putting together a new collection, and the joy of watching a line go “live.” For me, a new collection goes live with little to no fanfare (i.e. our new personal stationery collection went up on our website over the weekend … woot). Part of me wishes for that exciting moment that Claire and her fellow fashion designers get when the first model makes her way down the runway.

You can read more about the behind-the-scenes craziness that is a bridal market week runway show on Claire Pettibone’s blog.

And if you’re a bride in the LA area you are in luck! Claire Pettibone is having a sample sale at their Beverly Hills flagship store:

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inspired by: coco chanel

by Erika Firm Posted on November 10, 2009

I went to see Coco Avant Chanel with my mom and Mémé Delphine last week and all three of us really loved the film. The wardrobe and styling in the movie are, of course, fantastic. Mémé Delphine said she remembers when Chanel was a “new designer” in Paris. As a business owner I was fascinated by how Coco was able to build her empire by sheer force of will.

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le swoon. le sigh. magnifique!

by Erika Firm Posted on October 7, 2009

Those of you who know me (comfy jeans and cardigans are just about the only thing in my closet) may be surprised to learn that one of my fantasies is to attend Paris Fashion week so that I can experience the loveliness that is haute couture. Like this collection by Christian Lacroix. I would feel terribly inadequate and have night terorrs about what to wear to the shows, yet if I had a ticket I’d go in a heart beat. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting on my mom’s lap while she read Vogue. At the age of three I probably knew more about fashion than I do now.

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oh, vera

by Erika Firm Posted on September 24, 2009

How does Vera Wang do it? She is always on top of the latest trends (I think SHE is driving the trends). I am simply in awe of this gorgeous “delicately tinted pale nude tissue organza gown with asymmetrically draped bias-tiered origami skirt, back bows and nude grosgrain bow at natural waist.” (description from Elegant Bride Fall 2009 issue, where I first spotted the gown). Stunning! The photo in Elegant Bride magazine is even more amazing looking than this view (you can see the waist detail a bit better in the magazine).

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color palette: pantone’s spring 2010 report

by Erika Firm Posted on September 17, 2009

Pink Champagne is my favorite color from Pantone’s Spring 2010 report. Each fashion week, the peeps at Pantone head to the shows to report back on what they see as the color trends for the upcoming season. (Hello, fun job!) I think they’re right on, here, with the coral, pink champagne and light brown. I think the other colors are a little too bright … I had envisioned turquoise, but paler, like water, and yellow, but lighter like lemon chiffon.But what do I know? I sit in my studio all day …

You can read Pantone’s entire report here. And check out Erin Fetherson‘s website. She has some dreamy looks!

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